Back-to-School Resources

Dive into our collection of back-to-school resources to find tips, checklists, and insights from real students.
Klaus Vedfelt / DigitalVision / Getty Images

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
8 Mistakes to Avoid Your First Semester of College

8 Mistakes to Avoid Your First Semester of College

College is a time to grow, learn, and make mistakes. That said, we've compiled a list of mistakes you should definitely avoid during your first semester.

portrait of Danika Miller
Updated July 25, 2022
Read Article

Student Stories

The Value of Staying Open-Minded in College

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - The Value of Staying Open-Minded in College

Why I Stopped Pulling All-Nighters: The Dangerous Side Effects of “Grind Culture”

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - Why I Stopped Pulling All-Nighters: The Dangerous Side Effects of “Grind Culture”

The Key to Choosing Student Clubs Without Spreading Yourself Too Thin

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - The Key to Choosing Student Clubs Without Spreading Yourself Too Thin

What Dorm Living Taught Me About the Relationship Between Space and Self

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - What Dorm Living Taught Me About the Relationship Between Space and Self

4 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting College

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - 4 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting College

A Transfer Student’s Guide to Making Friends

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - A Transfer Student’s Guide to Making Friends

Don’t Put Your Life on Hold: How I Learned to Balance School, Work, and Fun

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - Don’t Put Your Life on Hold: How I Learned to Balance School, Work, and Fun

What You Do Is Not Who You Are: College Students’ Ever-Changing Identities

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - What You Do Is Not Who You Are: College Students’ Ever-Changing Identities

My 5 Biggest Tips for Out-of-State Students

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - My 5 Biggest Tips for Out-of-State Students

How an Interdisciplinary College Taught Me How to Learn

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - How an Interdisciplinary College Taught Me How to Learn

Road to Vet School as a Minority Student: How Poverty and Natural Disasters Built My Resilience

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - Road to Vet School as a Minority Student: How Poverty and Natural Disasters Built My Resilience

You Deserve to Be There: My Top 5 Tips for Women Majoring in STEM

May 19, 2023
Card Thumbnail - You Deserve to Be There: My Top 5 Tips for Women Majoring in STEM

College Prep

Card Thumbnail - College Packing List: 51 Things You Absolutely Must Bring to Campus

College Packing List: 51 Things You Absolutely Must Bring to Campus
portrait of Staff Writers
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - A Complete First-Year College Checklist

A Complete First-Year College Checklist
portrait of Staff Writers
Updated August 8, 2022
Card Thumbnail - 6 Ways to Prepare for the First Day of Class in College

6 Ways to Prepare for the First Day of Class in College
portrait of Staff Writers
Updated June 27, 2023
Card Thumbnail - College Move-In Day: 8 Tips to Help You Prepare

College Move-In Day: 8 Tips to Help You Prepare
portrait of Kim-Ling Sun
Published July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - 4 Ways to Make Your First Week of College Count

4 Ways to Make Your First Week of College Count
portrait of Samantha L. Solomon, Ph.D.
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - What to Bring to College: 10 Critical Papers and Documents

What to Bring to College: 10 Critical Papers and Documents
portrait of Juliann Scholl, Ph.D. portrait of Danika Miller
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - 9 Tips for a Smooth College Transition

9 Tips for a Smooth College Transition
portrait of Michelle Kelley
Updated August 8, 2022

College 101: The Basics

Card Thumbnail - The Student’s Guide to Choosing a Major

The Student’s Guide to Choosing a Major
portrait of Staff Writers
Updated November 17, 2023
Card Thumbnail - College Orientation: 5 Things You Need to Know

College Orientation: 5 Things You Need to Know
portrait of Kim-Ling Sun
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - What Is Student Services and How Does It Benefit Students?

What Is Student Services and How Does It Benefit Students?
portrait of Sharon Wilfong portrait of Danika Miller
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - The Ultimate College Terminology Guide

The Ultimate College Terminology Guide
portrait of Staff Writers
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - What Does a College Resident Advisor (RA) Do?

What Does a College Resident Advisor (RA) Do?
portrait of Whitney Sandoval
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - How to Find a College Roommate: 6 Essential Tips

How to Find a College Roommate: 6 Essential Tips
portrait of Kasia Kovacs
Updated May 5, 2023

Download the BestColleges.com Ultimate College Packing Checklist

School Supplies Must-Haves

Pack your bag with the essentials you need to thrive in school.

33 School Supplies Every College Student Needs

33 School Supplies Every College Student Needs

Getting ready to head to college? Check out these must-have college school supplies to make your higher ed experience go as smoothly as possible.

portrait of Staff Writers
Updated May 5, 2023
Read Article

Student Life

Card Thumbnail - How to Deal With Homesickness in College: 6 Tips to Keep You Grounded

How to Deal With Homesickness in College: 6 Tips to Keep You Grounded
portrait of Heather Mullinix
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - 5 Success Tips for First-Generation College Students

5 Success Tips for First-Generation College Students
portrait of Vanesha McGee, M.Ed.
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - The Top 5 Benefits of Living on Campus

The Top 5 Benefits of Living on Campus
portrait of Stefanie Grodman
Updated May 5, 2023
Card Thumbnail - 4 Things to Know About Rushing in College

4 Things to Know About Rushing in College
portrait of Steve Bailey
Updated July 22, 2022
Card Thumbnail - When Does 2022-23 College Football Start?

When Does 2022-23 College Football Start?
portrait of James Mielke
Updated July 22, 2022

Our Editorial Policy and Standards

Accuracy and editorial integrity are just a few of the values we at BestColleges pledge to uphold for the students who rely on us. We are committed to providing students with the educational resources they need to achieve their goals.

Arrow right side
Editorial